A visit to UNESCO Polonnaruwa citadel

Pollonaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers.

Experience Overview

Pollonaruwa is divided into 4 areas. The visit starts with the Kings Palace and Baths. We then visit 3 different tooth relic temples and then proceed to the stupas. The visit ends on the far western side of the complex where you will see one of the most astonishing Buda rock carvings in Sri Lanka. One can walk, bike or drive between locations. It’s hot – no doubt. If it looks like it might rain don’t forget to take an umbrella from the vehicle.

Includes:

Entrance Fees, Water, a Tambili (Coconut) at the end.

Duration:

Approximately 2.5 hours.

Difficulty:

Moderate. We rank it as Moderate not because of a climb as the surface is flat but because of the heat.

Suitable for children:

Little children may not follow the explanations of the guide. That said, there is plenty of space to run around. If you are doing the visit by bike – note children’s bikes are not available.

Meeting time on location:

To be confirmed with your chauffeur guide or national guide. pick-up time: To be confirmed with your chauffeur guide or national guide.

What to wear or bring along:

Light clothing, sun cream, a hat.

Private or not?

The visit is private, guided by your chauffeur guide, national guide or site guide. That said, there may be other people around at the site.

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Managing Expectations

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It is important to remember that, whilst they are experts in their field, the people who run or host our experiences are not necessarily used to working in the tourism industry and may not offer the level of service you would find at a five-star hotel. For example, instead of a formal lecture, you may get a relaxed conversation where open discussion is encouraged. All of our hosts are, however, extremely engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about educating visitors about their chosen subject and we have worked with them to ensure that they deliver worthwhile, fulfilling experiences. We welcome feedback, so please let us know what you thought and if you think any improvements could be made to the experiences we offer.
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Miguel Cunat is a Partner of Sri Lanka In Style founded in 2005 to provide visitors with insightful, engaging experiences in his adopted homeland. Recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as Sri Lanka’s Top Travel Specialist, and recently featured on Wendy Perrin’s WOW List.